Complain about a product or service

Snapper

Jeff of Waverly, AL June 14, 2009

I have a Snapper, 30" cut, "butterfly" steering wheel type mower that I bought exactly three years ago for just over $1,000, and have had it in the shop seven times, all in the first year. It was hardly used the second year since I was in a rental house and now I am having to take it in again an eighth time as I start mowing my newly established yard. The first year's problems had everything to do with a pull starter that would nearly jerk your arm off if you didn't pull it just the right way. I actually have a scar on my chest where the cord was ripped out of my hand, back into the mower, the handle cutting my chest through my shirt.

The dealer actually thought I was lying to him when I told him of the situation, saying that he had never heard of a cord doing such a thing! A new guy actually fixed the problem in about five minutes that seventh time in when he tried to load it, and nearly had his arm pulled off. The latest problem I have is a severe engine vibration that causes me to feel it in my body well into the next day after mowing. I have fixed vibration problems in the past by replacing unbalanced blades and have just completed replacing the blade, figuring it was the problem. I can keep the blade unengaged and have a deep vibration from the engine area through the seat and steering wheel. The dealer said, "Well... these engines are pretty violent, but bring it on in."

I guess I will again, and sell it if I can. The Snapper dealer's name is THE RENTAL CENTER in Auburn, Alabama. I will never buy another Snapper mower! Just for the record, I had an old 28" Snapper mower that was absolutely ancient, before I bought this new one. Snapper used to make a good product. They need to take care of folks. Until they do, I am telling everyone I know how they have fallen in their quality. Buy something else!!!

Joann of Waterloo, IL August 6, 2008

A 250 Z zero-turn Snapper mower purchased 5/29/08 to replace a 10 year old Snapper riding mower. Within approximately 20 hours of use we have experienced various problems -- a melted fender, loose muffler and clap, nuts & bolts falling off and replaced, a seperation of muffler and tail pipe, a muffler metal cage strip melted to the muffler, and a spacer missing from the cage frame around the muffler. The driver of the mower is a mature adult (50-60yr) we mow approximately 2 acres of residential/farm ground. The Snapper company 1-800-935-2967 does not back their product -- it does not have a return policy and the dealer isn't willing or in a position to buy it back (as he says).

Mary of Bloomdale, OH May 20, 2008

Bought a snapper weed wacker /roto tiller and the gas lines rottesd off and they won't replace them and no one around here works on them or sells them but Wal-Mart. I have writting them but they will not do anything about it. I don't have money to throw away like that. If they are going to make a product then they should stand behind it.

Phil of Port Neches, TX September 22, 2007

I have a riding Snapper mower with a rear engine 12.5hp.  When I was cleaning the under deck, the oil dip-stick was not on properly and all the oil drained out with out noticing due to the water and grass clippings, The problem is when the mower is standing up-right the lube oil dip-stick becomes the LOW POINT and will empty your oil reservoir. If the engine was rotated 160 degrees then lube oil spout would become the high point when the mower is in the up-right position not allowing engine oil to run out and costing mega $$$$ to replace. The engine seized up and had to be replaced.

Darryl of Corpus Christi, TX July 11, 2007

Darryl of Corpus Christi TX (07/11/07)
I have an 18 48 Zero Turn Snapper Mower, and as others have stated - the cost of the machine verses the cost of the continuous repairs is unacceptable. I have had to replace the belts twice a season and the mower deck pulleys once a season. I use my mower to mow my yard and put about 40 hours of use on it per season. Now one of the pulley brackets broke causing damage to the belt and pulleys. What is happening with Snapper products? My mechanic is almost as frustrated as I am and has become so disappointed in Snapper products that he is no longer recommending the purchase of Snappers - even though he once was the leading seller of Snapper products in our area.

Dean of Emmons, MN April 13, 2007

Dean of Emmons MN (04/13/07)
I purchased my first snapper z-rider in 1997 it was a 25 hp gas model with a 61 front mount deck. I used this unit for about 220hrs and traded it off 2 years later in 1999 for a 21hp diesel model that had more power and better economy. That is when the trouble started. The first problem started three months later when we recieved the first significant snowfall of that winter and I had my snow blower installed but my snapper would not start unless I heated my garage to 60 degrees. The battery is much to small for a diesel motor and it was nearly immpossible to start. then the PTO clutch failed at less than 100 hrs which was covered under the warranty. then the starter went out on it and was covered under the warranty. since then I have replaced the starter 4 times at an average cost of nearly $400 each time with me installing the starter myself. then the bearing problems came along with deck bearings and the front and rear hanger bearings going out. I keep the unit greased and serviced on a regular basis. the next thing was the drive shaft yoke broke and the replacement cost for that was $239. the latest breakdown was only 4 days ago while mowing my lawn the pivot pin on the rear wheel assembly broke completly off leaving my rear monted engine assembly laying on the ground with the wheel assemply layed next to it. there is another $118 for parts.

Vinton of Smithville, WV October 15, 2006

Vinton of Smithville WV (10/15/06)
I bought a new 30 inch snapper riding mower. When I go to start it it kicks back very hard, it's a 11.5 hp pull start . I had to put it in the shop twice before I got it started. I guess I'm stuck with a new pretty piece of junk .

Douglas of Archer, FL July 5, 2006

Douglas of Archer FL (07/05/06)
I paid Cash from a dealer in Gainesville, fl. Equipment direct Inc. I was told it was a commercial unit and I had a 2 year commercial warranty. But when the unit broke down on me, I carried it to a authorized Snapper repair dealer. it caught fire in their repair shop. it was repaired with the beleif that it was under a 2 year warranty. The very next day the unit stopped working on one of its 2 cylinders. The snapper rep. for our area is now informing me it is not a commercial unit and is only warrented for 90 days.

The repair place ( M&M Equipment of Bronson Fl. ) is now tring to pursue me for the parts plus repair cost. The difference between the unit I was sold and the commercial unit of the same size is $100.00 M.S.R.P.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.